Means and method of producing decorative surfaces



L. P. DICKEY Dec. 31, 1929.

MEANS AND METHOD OF PRODUCING DECORATIVE SURFACES Filed May 2. 192

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- LAUBENOE 1. DIOKEY, O] MOUNTAIN LAKES, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AUGUST GOERTZ & ('10., INC., A CORPORATION 01 NEW JERSEY aims AND METHOD or rnonucme pnoonurm sums-nons- Application filed May 2,

color effects may be attained in a comparatively inexpensive and simple manner, and whereby a great variety of designs may be obtained. To this end the invention consists in one form, in the preparation and applicamentary sectional view of a slmplified applition of a composite pyroxylin body comprising a transparent sheet bearing a selected printed design and a tinted or colored sheet combined together and overlaid upon the surface to be decorated so as to produce the effect of'depth, while at the same time providing color and design efii'ects closely simulating expensive enamel finishes, cloisonne work, etc. The noved means and method of decorating surfaces according to this invention is of especial advantage in connection with the manufacture of vanity cases, jewel boxes, toilet articles, and similar articles of manufacture, although not limited for use solely in such connections.

The invention has for a further object to provide a means for and method of treating engine-turned, engraved, etched, embossed or similarly ornamental surfaces by the application of a tinted transparent pyroxylin sheet thereto, to produce enamel effects; this being a variant and simplified form or embodiment of the general principles of this invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a vanity case to which has been applied the novel decorating means according to the construction and method of this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view and Fig. 4 is an edge View of the tinted transparent pyroxylin sheet forming one element of the composite decorative body of this invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view and Fig. 5 an edge view of the colorless transparent printed sheet of said composite decorative body.

- Fig. 6 illustrates the mode of assembling said sheets to form the composite decorative body.

1928. Serial No. 874,449.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view show.- mg the application of the composite decorative body to the surface of an article to be decorated, said view being taken on line 77 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a reatly enlarged fragmentary section throug 1 the novel decorative body made according to this invention and as applied to an ornamental article surface, to illustrate the mutual arrangement and cooperation of the elements making up the same.

Fig. 9 is a face View and Fig. 10 is a fragcation of the construction and principles of this invention in producing color and enamel effects in connection with engine-turned, enraved, etched, embossed and similar suraces.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above-describcd views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 11 indicates a sheet of trans parent pyroxylin material tinted to produce a desired color effect, and 12 indicates a colorless transparent sheet of pyroxylin material upon the under or reverse side of which is impressed a printed or otherwise applied design 13, which may comprise one or more different colors. The tinted sheet 11 and the printed sheet 12 are superimposed, with the latter on top but with its printed face next to the tinted sheet 11. The thus superimposed sheets are intimately un ted by any suitable process, as by cementing with acetone or like material,

calculated to produce an intimate invisible and uniform bond therebetween. The sheets 11' and 12 when thus united provide a composite decorative. body ready for application upon a surface to be treated thereby. To this end the-composite body is applied to the surface 14 of the article desired to be decorated so as-to lie flatly thereon, and then secured in place by any suitable method, as c. g. by inturning and crimping its marginal portions around the periphery or edge of the article to which the same is applied, or by otherwise fastening the same thereto. The resultant eifect of the composite decorative body is to give desired color to the surface of the article,

face design treatment.

this being accomplished by the tinted sheet 11. The printed design 13, however, since it overlies the tinted sheet 11 will be sharply and clearly delineated through the outer colorless trans 'iarent sheet 12, and any colors included in said printed design will be sharply and clearly visible without interference or dimming by the tinted sheet, while the outer transparent sheet 12 will produce the high polished effect of enamel. The printed design 13 since it is between the tinted sheet 11 and the colorless transparent sheet 12 is completely isolated and protected against rubbing, scratching or other injury. An additional novel effect, due to the disposition of the printed design 13 between the tinted sheet 11 and colorless transparent sheet 12 is the production of the effect of depth or perspective in the resultant design. This effect is illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings more particularly, and it will be noticed that oblique rays of light traversing the outer transparent sheet 12 and inner tinted sheet 11 will tend to produce an under shadow of the printed design 13 'on the surface 14 upon which the composite decorative bodyis imposed, thus bringing about the effect of depth and perspective in the total decoration which is very unique.

The total decorative effect obtained mav be further enhanced by providing the surface 14: of the article to which the composite decorative body is applied with engine turning engraving, etching, embossing or similar sur- Such design treatment will show through the novel composite decorative body and will add brilliancy to the total decorative effect, while partaking of the color of the tinted sheet 11.

In some cases it may be desired to omit the colorless transparent sheet 12 with its printed design 13, utilizing merely the tinted sheet 11 superimposed upon an engrossed, en-

gine turned, etched or embossed surface 14 of the article so as to give color and brilliancy to the surface 14 which produces the effects of costly enamel. This is indicated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, in which a tinted pyroxylin sheet 11 is applied over and secured upon the surface 14 of article to be decorated.

It will be obvious that some changes may be made in the constructions and detail dements producing the novel decorative effects above described without departing from the spirit and. scope of this invention, and that consequently the showing of the accompanying'drawings and the above description of the invention is to be taken as illustrative only and not ina limiting sense.

Having thus'described myinvention, I claim: j

1. The combination with' a surface of an article, of a decorative element, comprising a composite body consisting in a sheet of colorless transparent pyroxylin having a design printed on the under surface thereof and a sheet of tinted transparent pyroxylin upon which said first named sheet is imposed, said composite body being secured in overlying relation to'and upon said article surface, whereby the design Les in a plane parallel to-but spaced above said article surface to permit light to traverse the tinted pyroxylin material beneath said design for the purposes dscribed.

2. The combination with an article having an inscribed surface ornamentation of a decorative element comprising a composite body consisting in a sheet of colorless transparent pyroxylin having a design printed on the under surface thereof and a sheet of tinted transparent pyroxylin upon which said first named sheet is imposed, said composite body being secured in overlyirg relation to and upon said article surface, whereby the design lies in a plane parallel to but spaced above said article surface to permit light to traverse the tinted pyroxylin material beneath said design for the purposes described.

3. A method of producing a surface decoration for articles of various kinds, comprising the provision of a sheet of colorless transparentpyroxylin, applying a suitable design on the reverse side of said sheet, the provision of a sheet of transparent colored pyroxylin, imposing said first named sheet over and upon said second named sheet, and then applying thethus imposed sheets to the surface of the article to be decorated, to locate said design in a plane parallel to and spaced above said article surface.

' 4. A method of producing a surface decoration for articles of various, kinds, compris' ing the provision of a sheet of colorless transparent pyroxylin, applying a suitable design on the reverse side of said sheet, the pro- .vision of a sheet of transparent colored pyroxylin, imposing said first named sheet over and upon said second named sheet, intimately uniting the two sheets together, and then applying the thus prepared sheets to the sur- 

